Perfect Pulled Pork

You guys, close your ears if you don’t want to hear baby talk. The arrival of our little guy is six weeks, actually five weeks and four days away! Aaaaaaa! I am freaking out a little bit to say the least. I feel like I have so much to do before he gets here. My to-do list is ever-growing.

My dresser is backordered, all the baby clothes need washing, shelves need hanging, blog needs some maintenance, holiday recipes need to be created, carpets need cleaning, hospital bag needs packing, and so on and so on. Yes, all little things, but things nonetheless.

They say that a calm mom makes for a calm baby, so I am trying not to stress too much. But, the part when you go from being pregnant to being a mom, you know what I mean, is what I am trying to wrap my brain around. I know women have been doing it for years and all but still, wow! What if the pain meds wear off? I can’t even get a filling drilled without two or three shots of Novocain.

And then once he is here, it is a whole new ballgame. I am a female, I have female parts. I have no clue how guys walk around with those things. Now I have to raise a little man with a little one of those?!?!?! Crazy. Also, as a generally clean person, I am not looking forward to the mess that comes with a baby. I don’t want to be peed or pooped on. What if I don’t have time for grocery shopping, laundry, or cleaning?

Don’t get me wrong, I am so thrilled to be a parent and to meet this little gentleman. I know we are super lucky to be blessed with a child. I know that once he is born, my heart will love like it never has before and all these little things and worries won’t seem like anything. But… until then, I am going to be a freaking out nesting machine!

Part of my crazy pregnancy brain planning ahead is filling my freezer with tons of easy to reheat food. I made a batch of this pulled pork recipe from Kevin and Amanda. We ate it for like three days in a row. Neither of us are huge BBQ sauce laden pulled pork fans so this recipe is right up our alley. Plus cutting the amount of pork in half makes just enough for a few easy reheatable meals. Perfect for a busy new mom who will probably be too tired to cook for the first two/three/maybe even four weeks home with the baby.

Perfect Pulled Pork

Recipe Type: Entree

Author: Sarcastic Cooking

Prep time: 8 hours

Cook time: 5 hours

Total time: 13 hours

Serves: 2-4

Ingredients

2-2.5 Boneless Pork Shoulder/Pork Loin Roast

For the Dry Rub:

1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin

1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder

1 Tablespoon Onion Powder

1 Tablespoon Chili Powder

1 Tablespoon Cayenne Pepper

1 Tablespoon Salt

1 Tablespoon Ground Black Pepper

1 Tablespoon Paprika

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

For the Brine:

1/2 Cup Salt

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

2 Quarts Cold Water

3 Tablespoons Dry Rub Mix

2 Bay Leaves

Instructions

The night before you want to cook/eat the pulled pork, mix together all the dry seasonings in a small Tupperware container.

In a small bowl mix together the cold water and the salt for the brine. Once the salt is dissolved, pour the liquid into a gallon sized plastic storage bag. Add in the sugar, dry rub, and bay leaves. Seal the bag and give it a shake to dissolve all the seasonings. Add the pork into the bag, seal, and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat the oven to 225 degrees F.

Remove the pork roast from the brine. Place in a medium shallow baking dish. Pat the pork dry with paper towels. Liberally cover both sides of the pork in the dry rub. Be sure to leave a few tablespoons of dry rub for later. You will want to add more seasoning once the pork is shredded. Pat the dry rub into the meat.

Roast the pork in the oven for 4-5 hours until the internal temperature is 200 degrees F. Once the internal temperature is reached, remove the pork and let it rest for an hour or two before shredding with two forks. Shred the pork in the same pan you cooked it in so you incorporate all the cooking juices. Add a few more dashes of the dry rub and mix it into the pork.

Serve the pork on your favorite roll or bun.

Notes

Recipe from [url href="http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dinner/perfect-pulled-pork-slow-roasted-seasoned-savory.html" target="_blank" title="Kevin and Amanda"]Kevin and Amanda[/url]

Comments

I can’t offer any helpful baby type advice, although I my sister had a baby last month, so I’m an uncle for the first time. Wooooo! I’m sure you’ll be just fine.

Since I have no helpful baby advice, I’m just going to go ahead and say OHMYGOD THAT PULLED PORK LOOKS AMAZING. It’s not really very well known here in England, although it is taking off and more restaurants are starting to feature it on their menus.

loved the baby talk so I know I’m not the only one with crazy brain. I felt exactly the same way before our first was born, and now our second is about 13 weeks – 13 weeks! – away, and I feel all of those same I’ll-never-get-all-this-done emotions again. In other words, I HEAR YOU!
Also – having someone else pee or poop on you is really not as gross as you’d expect. They’re just so little and clean for the most part, that it’s somehow bearable
You’ll do great!

also–omg baby time is so close!! I can totally relate to all your concerns-I’m sure when it’s my time that’s what I’ll be thinking too–but I also know you’re gonna be amazinggg and it will all be great! ee! so excited!

I was in the same boat as you with Will. I had two sisters…no brothers..no boy parts at all! I had no clue what I was doing when Will arrived two years ago–somehow you learn! You will be surprised at the mother instincts you will have. And yes, I have been peed on..and pooped on…and its always a mess but kind of hilarious to think about in hindsight! So exciting–just relax, everything will get done!!

I knew I was only going to get one baby, so I prayed really hard that I would get a girl. Whew. Crisis averted. Although, I still got peed on as soon as they put her in my arms (true story–all over my IV). Didn’t give a hoot by that point in time (also, I didn’t get an epidural or other pain meds, which is a long story as to why and I lived to tell the story). You will be fine. If stuff doesn’t get done, that baby won’t care, and neither will you in time. We used to have good friends that’s favorite statement when people would worry about stuff was “will it matter in 10 years?”. I’ve often thought about those words. I have heard though, when it comes to changing boy diapers to hold a second one as a shield because they WILL pee all over you and in your face if you aren’t careful. Do you think that guys wonder how we walk around with our boobs out front and everything? Meanwhile, Stephie and I discussed your food for after the baby gets here. She’ll give you my thoughts. Good luck and can’t wait to see pictures of Weezer and his brother!

Take a deep breath. You’ll be fine plus Mike is there to take care of the boy parts. Although, you should probably except to peed on at least once or twice or more than once. Each of my nephews christened my parents bed as babies due to poor timing. It happens, that’ what they do. But you will be a great mom and just remember to pull one of these babies out of the freezer for dinner and relax.

I delivered both my daughters at the stage where you are now. It all gets done, somehow. And pee and poop? They’re sort of a wonderous happening when they come with your baby. The “boy thing” just works itself out with a little help from the hospital staff….and instinct. I learned that when my grandsons were born. You’ll be a star within hours. Trust me. Just like you are as a food blogger!

I pretty much feel ya though, I’m a bit ways away yet. I’m 23 weeks today/ 5 months, almost 6 months. My back hurts a lot today and I’m just feeling more and more tired. We haven’t even begun the nursery yet. I have paint samples picked out and ideas galore, but I can’t help but freak a little. I adore a good pulled pork sandwich and freezer meals are the best! Try to relax…I know, easier said than done! Congrats on baby boy!

Made the mistake of taking a drink of water right as I read your line about dudes walking around with those things. Definitely choked and sent myself into a coughing fit, eliciting a raised eyebrow from Alex.

You’re hilarious. You’re going to be a totally awesome mom, and you’ll figure it all out (though I grew up with brothers and live with a boy now and I still don’t totally get the male species… but they’re pretty low-maintenance ;)). This pulled pork really does look perfect!

This looks super tasty! I need to start stocking my freezer(I still have 13 weeks until my baby girl is estimated to arrive). I feel like I have absolutely nothing ready yet(besides the baby room being painted). I’m glad my first will be a girl, because I agree with you, Ijust don’t know how boys work. I’m sure you’ll be an awesome mom though, especially with so many awesome recipes to feed a growing boy!

I have to admit, I have no idea what this is like, but I have a feeling your’e going to do just fine. Even if there is pee and spit up involved. Love having quick meals like this in my recipe box. I’d make the full batch then repurpose the leftovers. Thanks for sharing!